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Invertebrates

Basket Starfish

underwater photograph of a basket star These photo of a very unusual starfish were taken at Race Rocks. These odd looking animals are not very common. They are most often found at dive sites which get a lot of current.

underwater photograph of a basket star




Sea Pens

underwater photograph of a sea penunderwater photograph of a sea pen The photo on the left was taken at North Cod Reef, the one on the right was taken at Octopus Point. These creatures filter the water for microscopic particles (plankton). They are usually found in sandy areas with a fair amount of current. Their bright color makes them a favorite with photographers.




Nudibranchs


There are hundreds of species of nudibranchs with as many color variations. These animals are related to the common land slug and move in just the same fashion.
underwater photograph of a nudibranch underwater photograph of a nudibranch

Above Left: Yellow edged nudibranch
Above Right: Clown nudibranch




The following three pictures are all Giant nudibranches (AKA. Dancing nudibranches)
The top two picture show the nudibranch undulating back and forth (dancing) which is it's way of swimming. The bottom picture is after the nudibranch has landed

underwater photograph of a nudibranch underwater photograph of a nudibranch
underwater photograph of a nudibranch





Below is a closeup shot of about 1/3 the body length of an Orange Peel nunbranch

underwater photograph of a nudibranch

Anemones

underwater photograph of an anemoneunderwater photograph of an anemone
Anemones come in a lot of sizes and shapes.

Left: This anemone has a shrimp walking around on it and cleaning it.

Right: Orange Plumose Anemone. These large anemones are more common in a white color.

Below: Strawberry anemones are about 2 cms (1 inch) in diameter. This cluster of strawberry anemones was taken Steep Island near Campbell River.

underwater photograph of an anemone

Jellyfish

underwater photograph of a jellyfish These are not actually fish. They are a member of the invertebrate family. They have long stinging tentacles which sting and stun fish which they then draw into their mouths on the underside.

Cloud Sponges

underwater photograph of a cloud spongeunderwater photograph of a cloud sponge Cloud sponges can take many shapes as can be seen by the photographs. One thing that is common to all cloud sponges is that they like deep water. The shallowest that I have seen them is at 100 feet but they are more common around 120 feet and deeper.
underwater photograph of a cloud sponge underwater photograph of a cloud sponge

All of the cloud sponge pictures shown here were taken in the Saanich Inlet near Victoria.

Feather Star

underwater photograph of a feather star This creature appears to many people to be a plant but it is an animal. As the current passes through it, it filters the water for food particles with it's 'feathers'.

Various Invertebrates

underwater photograph of a of invertebratesunderwater photograph of a of invertebrates
underwater photograph of a of swimming scallops
Top Left: A red tube worm is becoming engulfed in a sponge which is almost smothering an orange sea squirt.

Top Right: Swimming scallops as well as bright red sea cucumbers all intermingle on the sea floor.

Bottom Right: Swimming scallops close-up.


 

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